Frigoribacterium

Frigoribacterium is a genus of bacteria in the family Microbacteriaceae. The genus was first described in 1996 by Collins and colleagues, who isolated the first species, Frigoribacterium faeni, from hay. The name Frigoribacterium is derived from the Latin frigus (cold) and bacterium (a rod), referring to the organism's rod-like shape and its ability to grow at low temperatures.

Characteristics[edit | edit source]

Members of the genus Frigoribacterium are Gram-positive, non-motile, non-spore-forming rods. They are aerobic and psychrophilic, meaning they can grow in cold environments. The cell wall of Frigoribacterium contains peptidoglycan, a substance that provides structural support.

Species[edit | edit source]

As of 2021, there are four recognized species in the genus Frigoribacterium:

Frigoribacterium faeni
Frigoribacterium endophyticum
Frigoribacterium mesophilum
Frigoribacterium aquatile

Each species has been isolated from different environments, including hay, soil, and water.

Ecology and Pathogenicity[edit | edit source]

Frigoribacterium species are commonly found in cold environments, such as the Arctic and Antarctic regions. They are also found in refrigerated food products, where they can cause spoilage. However, Frigoribacterium species are not known to be pathogenic to humans or animals.

Research and Applications[edit | edit source]

Due to their ability to survive and grow in cold environments, Frigoribacterium species have potential applications in biotechnology. For example, they could be used in the production of cold-active enzymes, which have uses in industries such as food processing and bioremediation.